The rising price of XRP is making it increasingly difficult to join the top 10% of holders. This article discusses the requirements to join this top group, the importance of self-custody, and the impact of rising prices on the number of top holders.
Requirements to Join the Top 10% of XRP Holders
Edo Farina, CEO of Alpha Lions Academy, highlights that the number of XRP required to qualify as a top 10% holder has decreased over time, despite the rising cost of entry. In June 2024, when XRP was trading at approximately $0.47, investors needed at least 3,300 XRP to secure a spot in the top 10%. This required an investment of $1,551. Fast-forward to January 2025, the threshold has dropped to 2,599 XRP. However, the cost to meet this benchmark has surged to $6,263, as XRP is now valued at over $2.40 per token. Currently, XRP has over 5.85 million wallets, with only 585,248 containing 2,599 XRP or more. This number represents the top 10% of holders.
The Importance of Self-Custody for XRP Holders
Farina also raises concerns about self-custody within the XRP community. While there are over 500 million cryptocurrency users globally, he estimates that only about 20 million actively self-custody their assets. For XRP specifically, Farina believes that fewer than half a million holders truly control their tokens in self-custody wallets. He warns that relying on centralized exchanges to store XRP comes with significant risks, particularly during rapid price increases.
A Shrinking Pool of Top XRP Holders
Farina’s insights also underline a key trend: as XRP becomes more expensive, the number of individuals able to maintain a top-tier position will continue to shrink. This reflects a shift in accessibility, as increasing prices push smaller investors out of the higher wealth brackets.
Farina emphasizes the importance of securing and holding XRP now, especially in self-custody, to maintain a position among the top holders in the future.
